The single, produced by Keznamdi and Natural High Music, was given its worldwide premiere by one of the biggest international music blogs - TheFader.com on April 20 (4/20) - the day when marijuana lovers worldwide celebrate consuming the sacred plant. It was an instant hit on the website and was quickly picked up by other blogs, while ratcheting up 1000s of YouTube views.
The music video, shot by Fareye Films, features some stunning and avant garde visuals with Keznamdi tucked away in lush marijuana fields extolling the spiritual, industrial and economic benefits of his holy sacrament.
LargeUp.com, Boomshots.com, Reggaeville.com and clothing company LRG have all featured the video, giving it their stamp of approval. In over 48 hrs, the video has garnered over ten thousand views and climbing and will be added to hip hop powerhouse website worldstarhiphop.com. Keznamdi was also given an exclusive feature on the home page Rormix.com, one of the fastest-growing music video platforms for independent artists. The video is currently being serviced to local media outlets in Jamaica.
Prior to the music video release, the song was premiered in the US by HOT 97 DJs Bobby Konders and Jabba and in the UK by Toddla T and Sir David Rodigan on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 1 Xtra respectively. Upon its release, 10 Pound was designated a ‘Hot new track’ by iTunes and was given prominent placement on the iTunes Reggae home page. It also broke the Top 20, a phenomenal achievement for a brand new single from an emerging artist.
Keznamdi, who jets off to the UCLA JazzReggae Festival this weekend, is upbeat about the reception of the single: “It’s a joy to know that my message advocating marijuana legalization is finding favor with many people,” he said. “We put in the work to promote and set up the song and video prior to its release and we are harvesting the rewards. We give thanks for that and hope that those in power will hurry up and fully legalize the almighty plant.”